Senate passes first bill, would end 15 percent testing

After push back from parents, teachers and superintendents, the Texas Senate unanimously passed its first bill of the 83rd Legislature that would remove the state rule that ties end-of-course exams in high schools to 15 percent of the student’s final course grade.

State Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, authored SB 135 and said it would provide increased local control for school districts. The rule was suspended this year and last due to criticism from educators and other officials, said Patrick, chairman of the Public Education Committee.

As the bill heads to the House, state Rep. Jimmie Don Aycock, R-Killeen, filed a similar bill that would remove the state mandate on end-of-course exams Wednesday. Aycock is the chairman of the House Public Education Committee.

Many complaints of EOC standards have been prompted by student’s low scores. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have said they plan to file legislation that would lower the number of EOC exams required to graduate, including San Antonio state Rep. Mike Villareal.